Purdue Preview

Purdue is currently 12-3, and one of 3 teams still undefeated in the B1G (MSU 3-0, U-M 2-0).  All 3 of their losses would be considered a “quality” loss, but they still do not have a signature win.  The Boilers are led by 40 year old Robbie Hummel who is working on 2 bad knees and probably some arthritis in his hip.

Offensively, Robbie Hummel is Mr. Everything for Purdue.  While they are a very talented team, Hummel is the glue that holds it all together.  He is one of my favorite B1G players to watch play the game.  He isn’t necessarily great in any one facet, but there aren’t any faults in his game.  He is an extremely good rebounder, has a very smooth jump shot, has a high basketball IQ which makes him hard to defend, and plays hard nosed defense.  Sure there probably are a handful of players in the conference that are more athletic and flashy,  but you will not find a kid that has worked harder for what he has and leads his team better (if you are a Michigan fan, he is Purdue’s Novak with a TON more basketball talent).  After losing their first round pick JaJuan Johnson last season, Purdue has become more of a perimeter offensive team.  Most of the touches flow through Hummel and the surrounding guards: Barlow and Jackson.  They have one of the best shooters in the country with Ryne Smith.  Their post game is their weakness, especially in the offensive rebounding and defense categories.  If this team gets into a rhythm, they can hang with anyone in the B1G on a one game basis. 

Defensively Purdue has always been a very good team under Painter.  This continues again this year.  Their perimeter defense might be the best in the entire league, but they use a defense by committee to defend the paint area.  This style will be difficult to control defensive rebounds at a high efficiency.  The lack of a defensive post presence will keep Purdue from being among the conferences elite teams, but they have the ability to be one of the scariest teams in the B1G on any given night.  Hummel will need to continue averaging 7 rebounds a game for Purdue to finish in the top 5 of the league. 

Michigan matches up reasonably well with the Boilermakers, but the favor goes both ways.  The lack of a post presence will help our weakness in post defense, but it will also cause us to guard a very athletic team.  I expect Hummel to be able to score in bunches, and most likely put up 20 points.  If our perimeter defense doesn’t improve, Smith will have many open looks from deep.  The battle between Jackson and Burke will be interesting to watch. Jackson is a more defensive minded point guard, matching up against one of the best scoring point guards in the conference.  I think Michigan’s depth will give them the slight advantage, but I would not be surprised to see this season’s series be split between home wins for each team.

Purdue will likely finish in the middle of the pack in the B1G this year, and it should be good enough for them to make the NCAA tourney.  I expect them to finish with 7-9 wins.